(19)

(11)

EP 2 021 970 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 17.01.2008 (43) Date of publication: 11.02.2009 Bulletin 2009/07 (21) Application number: 07755538.1 (22) Date of filing: 17.04.2007

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G06K 5/00(2006.01) G06Q 40/00(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2007/009306 (87) International publication number: WO 2007/133369 (22.11.2007 Gazette 2007/47)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL BA HR MK RS (30) Priority: 01.05.2006 US 415482 (71) Applicant: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. Detroit, MI 48211-1198 (US)	(72) Inventors: ADAMS, Herbert, L. Waterford, Michigan 48329 (US) MARSH, Gregory, A. Ferndale, Michigan 48220 (US) (74) Representative: Price, Nigel John King  J.A. Kemp & Co. 14 South Square Gray's Inn London WC1R 5JJ 14 South Square Gray's Inn London WC1R 5JJ (GB)